Julie Chen calls new cast “Big Brother in its purest form”

Host Julie Chen says in a video that introduces us to the cast (below) that this new season represents “Big Brother in its purest form.” Of course, Big Brother‘s idea of pure makes most of us gargle bleach, but that’s the fun part.

The AP interviewed the houseguests in sequester in a Studio City hotel (frighteningly close to where I’m staying for the next two weeks) and reports that “[t]his season’s contestants seem to be more aware of the repercussions of their actions from the outset.” We shall see.

Besides repeating everything she’s alreadysaid, executive producer Allison Grodner said that this season, which so far does not have a publicly announced twist, returns the show to its origins–at least before the producers stick their grubby little hands into it and screw it up, which she hinted will occur. “Every season had its unique twist. I think, in a way, going back to basics and having the cast be all strangers is part of the twist of ’10.’ Of course, there will be more,” she said.

Meet the new hamsters and watch them mug for the camera–they’re not good actors at all–in this CBS video:

about Andy Dehnart

Andy Dehnart is a journalist who has covered reality television for more than 15 years and created reality blurred in 2000. A member of the Television Critics Association, his writing and criticism about television, culture, and media has appeared on NPR and in Playboy, Vulture, and many other publications. Andy, 38, also directs the journalism program at Stetson University in Florida, where he teaches creative nonfiction and journalism. He has an M.F.A. in nonfiction writing and literature from Bennington College. More about reality blurred and Andy.

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reality blurred is regularly updated with reality TV news; behind-the-scenes reports; interviews with reality TV show cast members and producers; and recaps and reviews of reality TV shows including Survivor, Big Brother, The Amazing Race, The Bachelor, Project Runway, The Voice, Top Chef, and many more.